Haiti President Jovenel Moise (second from the left) and Acting United States Secretary of State John Sullivan (right) speak during the Summit of the Americas. / US Department of State / Public Domain

Haitian President Moise Met with Acting Secretary of State Sullivan During Summit of the Americas

By Nathan Davis on April 19, 2018

Haitian President Jovenel Moise met with Acting United States Secretary of State John Sullivan on the margins of the Summit of the Americas “to discuss security and economic growth in Haiti, as well as democracy in the region,” according to a press release by the US embassy in Haiti.

The two officials spoke about “the importance of continued support for the Haitian National Police.”

Sullivan also thanked President Moise for his leadership as Chairman of the Caribbean Community.

Acting Secretary Sullivan was scheduled to travel to Haiti to attend the Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community last February. However, his trip was postponed after President Donald Trump made disparaging remarks about Haiti.

Sullivan was sworn in as Deputy Secretary of State in June 2017. He has been acting Secretary of State since April 1. In March then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was fired by President Trump via Twitter.

“During the meeting, the Acting Secretary underscored the U.S. commitment to enhance engagement with the Caribbean, as envisioned in the Caribbean 2020 strategy, including increasing private-sector investment in the Caribbean; ensuring a steady, long-term supply of clean, affordable energy to the region; building resilience to natural disasters; and supporting economic growth in the region for a more secure and prosperous hemisphere,” according to readout attributed to Spokesperson Heather Nauert.